Should Voting Be Mandatory? Scholastic Point-Counterpoint Debate

During our last local elections, maybe 40% of eligible voters in Aurora got out to vote. In a presidential election, it is rare that more than 50% of eligible, registered voters get out to vote. Even with all kinds of ways to vote absentee, and to vote early to work around work and travle schedules, Americans just don't get out and vote. And yet, we consider ourselves the greatest democracy in the world.

We'll soon loon how America chose a form of representative democracy for its form of national government. Most state and local governments are set up on a similar model with elected representatives and 3 branches of government. What can we do to get more people to vote? Should more people vote? Should voting be mandatory?

You can or course post your thoughts, but a great starting point is to consider the Junior Scholastic Feature "Should Voting Be Mandatory" from the November 23, 2o15 Issue. Here is the direct link- "Should Voting Be Mandatory" If prompted to log in, follow the directions below...

Or, go through the wiki link to scholastic. Log in as a student using the password of Harmon6th and then browse the current digital issue to page 14... and read about the problem along with an argument for and an argument against mandatory voting.

Then, come back to this discussion and post your thoughts and reactions and ideas.